MP's 20th: Snapshots From the Front Lines

Rand Pearson, editor and publisher, 1991-1996: "I was 21 years old, armed with little more than a journalism degree, though I did have a vague idea about starting a lifestyle magazine for Knoxville and one day becoming a publisher."

Monkey Mask

Jared Coffin, contributing designer 1991, then art director 1992-1995: "Margaret and Rand Pearson were working with Ashley Capps and the indefatigable Ian Blackburn to start a biweekly arts and entertainment mini-tab."

Metro Pulse's first Sales Manager, Pat Hinds

The Fearless Editor - Coury Turczyn, managing editor then executive editor 1992-2000 (now editor 2007-?):"As so many others expats do, I found myself back in Knoxville after spending a few years trying to create a non-Knoxville-related existence."

Joe Sullivan, owner and publisher, 1992-2003

1st Office in Burwell Building

Shelly Ridenour, calendar editor then later associate editor, 1992-1998: " I was 19 when I started at Metro Pulse."

Barry Henderson, editor in chief, 1993-1996, later returning as managing editor/senior editor: "When I came on the scene in 1993, Metro Pulse was trundling along as a bi-weekly."

Chris Barrett, staff writer

Mike Tatum, editorial intern, 1993: "It was the fall of 1993. I was desperate and nervous. I needed an internship to graduate."

Jack Neely, associate editor

Regina Adams

Mike Gibson, staff writer

Ian Blackburn, layout artist then later systems manager, 1991-2004: "Producing the first issue was like any other project with a deadline, familiar to any college student. You get your stuff together as best you can and then stay up all night putting it together."

Metro Pulse Staff circa 2000

Metro Pulse Sales Staff circa 2001

Lisa Horstman, art director, 1995-2002: "The streaks from the dessert glob were probably there for a couple of years."

Dugan Broadhurst (center) graphic designer, 1998-1999: "Somehow, I was able to turn my non-paying internship with the paper into a five-figure salary. Hint: not even in the low 20s." (seen here with designers Ryan Collins, left, and Andrew Gresham)

Jay Nations, ad sales rep, 1995-1998: "I soon found out being the ad rep, I represented MP— i.e., if someone was mad about something written about them, chewing out the ad rep was pretty natural to them."

Adrienne Martini

Joe Tarr, staff writer 1997-2004: "Metro Pulse, and more broadly Knoxville, made me who I am."